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16 Sept 2004 : Column 1742W—continued
Pension Credit
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many inquiries have been received by the pension credit application line in each calendar month since creation. [188683]
Malcolm Wicks: The number of calls to the application line in each month between April 2003 and July 2004 is shown in the table.
Notes:
1. Numbers of calls are rounded to the nearest 10.
2. 'Other calls' include a small number which received the engaged tone or a recorded message.
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Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of residents of Dumfries and Galloway are in receipt of pension credit. [188684]
Malcolm Wicks: The number of individual recipients of pension credit in Dumfries and Galloway at the end of August represented approximately 7.1 per cent. of the total population and 27.2 per cent. of the population aged 60 or over.
Pension Service
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many local pension centres there are; and how many staff are employed in each. [188982]
Mr. Pond: There are currently 26 pension centres in addition to the centre at Tyne View Park which comprises of the National Pensions Forecasting Telephone Centre, the International Pension Centre and the National pension centre.
Details of staffing are set out in the table.
Notes:
1. Tyne View Park (Newcastle) is often considered as one Pension Centre incorporating National Pension Centre, International Pension Centre and National Pension Forecasting Telephone Centre. However for the purpose of this response a breakdown of these areas, in addition to Management and Support staff is provided.
2. The table shows the number of core processing and Management and Support staff in post at the end of August 2004. Staff working on Local Services, Projects and Central Functions are not included.
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Pensioners
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on home visits to pensioners; and how many home visits were carried out in each quarter since the introduction of pension credit. [188988]
Malcolm Wicks: The Local Service of The Pension Service aims to provide a home visit if a pensioner requires one. The vast majority of queries can be dealt with quickly and effectively by a telephone call to a pension centre or to the pension credit application line. Those receiving home visits are typically the most vulnerable and the Local Service aims to provide help for such pensioners when they need it. During a home visit, the Local Service will offer information on pension credit and other entitlements and on other social care issues. The number of home visits carried out since April 2003 is set out in the table.
| Quarter | Number of visits |
|---|---|
| 2003 | |
| April to June | 67,464 |
| July to September | 92,557 |
| October to December | 112,183 |
| 2004 | |
| January to March | 148,033 |
| April to June | 131,491 |
| July to August(14) | 83,504 |
(14) Latest available.
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Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden received the higher rate of winter fuel allowance for over 80s in winter 2003–04. [189349]
Mr. Pond: In winter 2003–04, the number of pensioners in Mitcham and Morden who received the higher rate winter fuel payment for those aged 80 or over was 2,895.
Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
Source:
IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden received winter fuel allowance in winter 2003–04. [189350]
Mr. Pond: The number of pensioners in Mitcham and Morden who received a winter fuel payment in winter 2003–04 was 14,220.
Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
Source:
IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample.
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden are receiving an additional £100 in 2004–05 to help pay for increases to council tax. [189357]
Mr. Pond: The information requested is not available. For winter 2003–04, there were 7,915 pensioners aged 70 or over in Mitcham and Morden who received a winter fuel payment. We expect a similar number to benefit from the one-off 70+ payment.
Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
Source:
IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample.
Pensions
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been made by (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department of the research published by the TUC in June on pension take-up, with particular reference to Wales. [189107]
Mr. Pond: The TUC has published new research showing which groups of employees have been the most likely to lose membership of a pensions scheme. We welcome the research that the TUC has undertaken on membership of occupational pensions. This draws substantively on data produced by the Government and underscores the importance of the measures we are taking forward through our pension reforms.
The Pensions Bill will rebuild confidence in occupational pensions, it will strengthen the partnership between employers, individuals and the state in pension provision. The introduction of the Pension Protection Fund (supported by a Pensions regulator) will enhance protection for pension scheme members. The Bill also protects employees transferring from one employer to another with a minimum level of pension provision. In
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addition it will encourage individuals to build up pension savings by offering a cash transfer sum when leaving a pension scheme.
Through our informed choice agenda we will work with our pension partners to explore and test different approaches aimed at maximising membership of employer-provided schemes. One of these is automatic enrolment where new employees automatically become members of their employer's pension scheme unless an individual opts out.
The TUC research does not contain specific information relating to Wales. However, based on the data that is available, Wales does not appear to be significantly different to the rest of the United Kingdom in terms of trends in occupational pensions.
Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the operation of the new direct payment scheme for pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [189134]
Mr. Pond: Independent research commissioned by DWP which is soon to be published shows that there are very high levels of satisfaction among benefit and pensions customers who have transferred to direct payment and those who have started claiming and chose to receive direct payments. Overall 91 per cent. of customers were happy with the process of setting up direct payments (the figure for pensioners was 88 per cent.). Similarly, overall 93 per cent. of customers were happy with the process of having payments made into an account (the figure for pensioners was 92 per cent.).
The main benefits of direct payment were seen to be the increased convenience and security. Some people also feel it helps them manage their money more effectively. Most customers felt there were no disadvantages to receiving their benefit or pension by direct payment.
The full research report will be published shortly.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements are being made to ensure that carers with an existing power of attorney may continue to withdraw pensions from the Post Office. [188004]
Mr. Pond [holding answer 13 September 2004]: Payment direct into a bank or building society account including Post Office card account is the normal method of payment for benefits, pensions and allowances.
The Post Office has arrangements with a wide variety of banks and building societies and depending on the account held, customers including those with power of attorney, are able to withdraw money across the counter at any post office branch.
The Post Office card account is also available for the payment of pensions but does not support power of attorney. A power of attorney is unable to open a card account in their own name to receive pensions. However they can make use of the DWP appointee procedure to obtain pension as the carer.
The Department is in the process of contacting all customers, including those with an existing power of attorney, who have not provided account details and asking them to do so. Customers including those
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holding power of attorney are being provided with all the information they need on all of their account options, including which accounts can be used at post office branches. It will be for them to decide which type of account best suits their individual needs and circumstances.
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